Champney, Elizabeth W. Romance of the Italian villas. **$3. Putnam.
7–431.
“From the vast storehouse of Italian legendary lore the author has collected a dozen or so stories identified with as many villas and has retold them, mostly in archaic form, so as to present an illusion of the past.” (N. Y. Times.) “She writes not so much of buildings as of the romantic and dramatic events which have taken place within their walls, not to mention other interesting incidents in the lives of famous people who dwelt there.” (Lit. D.) Numerous fine illustrations which are reproductions of paintings emphasize the value of the work.
“Carefully selected and delightfully told.”
| + | A. L. A. Bkl. 3: 65. Mr. ’07. |
“Will not take high rank either as a collection of tales or a literary guide-book. The style is undistinguished, and the author’s version of the histories attaching to the villas of which she writes is tame and undramatic.”
| − + | Ath. 1907, 1: 788. Je. 29. 200w. |
“She writes with verve, communicating to her reader the charm she feels herself.”
| + | Ind. 62: 1152. My. 16, ’07. 130w. |